Before the Bells Could Ring

"I know today was tough for you. Let's try for our own baby when we get home."

I did not respond, but she thought she had made things right and left with her clothes.

The old me would have been calmed down by a hug and a promise, no matter how upset I was.

She thought promising to have a baby would make up for the bad day I had.

However, she seemed to forget, we were not even officially married.

Now, I did not even want to think about marriage, much less having kids.

I returned home alone.

The house was cluttered with boxes of kids' stuff that Rosie had ordered.

At first, I was on cloud nine, thinking Rosie might be pregnant and planning to surprise me. I was so thrilled I could not even sleep!

However, it turned out, those things were for a child she had, who did not live with us.

Disheartened, I retreated to my room.

I sifted through the memories of our seven years together.

I used to cherish every small gift from her, even a hairband or a mug.

Yet now, none of it held any value for me.

I gathered all those tokens, along with my feelings for her, and tossed them away.

When I returned from disposing of the items, the house was glowing with light.

A sweet five-year-old was joyfully calling out "grandma," and Larisse was beaming with laughter, her eyes sparkling as she showered the child with gifts, one after another.

That was Jeffrey's son, Sean Carter. He was the reason for a big fuss at a wedding, and then, they were all having a great time together.

I opened the door at the wrong time, and the happy mood just stopped.

Jeffrey looked at me but was talking to Larisse.

"Mom, you're too easy on him.

"He just stays at home, using Rosie's money, and doesn't even clean.

"What's the point of keeping him around? We might as well hire a housekeeper."

Larisse appeared upset and let out a chilly huff. "My daughter worked too hard for you to just live off her."

I met her gaze.

I used to earn more than Rosie. When she fell ill, seeing her so despondent in the hospital broke my heart. She held my hand and pleaded, "If Rosie quits her job, she might struggle to find another good one."

"You're different, you have a solid education and skills. Society will welcome you back," Larisse stated, her eyes serious. Rosie stood nearby, tears streaming down her face, torn about what to do. Not wanting to add to her troubles, I made the choice to leave my job and care for her ailing mother at home.

That turned into five long years.

They both knew I had been using my own saved-up money all that time.

Just two days ago, my bank account was empty, and for the first time, I asked Rosie for some cash. It was only once, just $75 for groceries, but Larisse made it sound like I was just blowing through her daughter's money.

I glanced at Rosie again. She was quiet, looking down, as if she agreed with her mom.

It was so ridiculous. I had spent five years caring for someone who could not even move, and Rosie had a baby without telling me. Then, she and her mom acted like I owed them, like I should just keep working hard for them without a word.

Larisse got really mad when I did not start cleaning up right away. She snapped at me, "What's wrong with you? Get moving!"